Fort Sam AMEDD BOLC Training

July 12th, 2013, 01:17 PM

Hi all-

I was recently approved by the AMEDD Board to commission in Arizona, and I'm awaiting swearing in. I understand that as a Reserve Component 73A, I will go through the "short course" at Fort Sam which consists of the FTX, while completing the educational portion both at home and during drill weekends prior to attending.

Is it possible to request to attend the long course as a Reserve Component 73A? Would anyone recommend requesting it? I would like to be as fully versed in military custom, procedure and tradition as I can before assuming a post. Also, my thoughts were the longer I spend in a training environment (read: living with other soldiers and involved in daily life around the base), the better prepared I will be to adapt to this new role. Any thoughts?

Yes it is possible to attend the long course, and I would highly recommend it. It is simply a matter of which course your unit enrolls you in. However, to be frank, 9 weeks VS. 4 weeks is a big difference in money for your state. They may not have the money, or be willing to IF they had it, especially since the short course meets your training requirements. Keep in mind, that the fundamental difference between the short and long course is: Short course 28 days (ish) no days off, with 15 days of field exercises. You will merge with the long course for those three weeks of FTX's. The long course has essentially 6 weeks of death by powerpoint, weekends off, and mandatory leadership positions for everyone.

Disclaimer: YMMV, my knowledge and recollection is subject to memory lapse, and being out of date.

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Thanks for the info. My recruiter said the same when I spoke to him recently. I guess 4 weeks will have to do!

Howdy. I'm a direct commission O4 that will be attending AMEDD BOLC short course next month. What's the weather like on Camp Bullis on September? I have been told that nights can get really cold, and that contrasting extreme temperatures at day/night are common. What brand of combat boots is better for the FTX? Can you have bubble gum or drink packets with you during FTX, or are they considered contraband food? I understand the short course is 28 days straight, but do we get any spare time to go off base for a Pizza or whatever? I have been advised to also take civilian clothing, but that was meant for the long course, if we are not going out off-base, I guess it would only be dead weight. How many sets of ACUs do we need for the short course, they ask three for the long version, will two sets do for the short one? As an O4, I can request single acommodation quarters, but I don't know if I should, as it would set me apart and perhaps even look standoffish. Advice?

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MAJ, you will have limited time off on weekends. You will doing the powerpoint death march until 5PM or so on weekends, and your spare time will be doing laundry. I'd recommend three or four sets of ACU's. In reality, you're gonna stink, and sweat anyway. It'll be cooler at night and warmer during the day, but nowhere near what the extreme was when I did it in November. We had high 30's/low 40's to upper 40's at night. Weather during the day was spectacular in the 80's. you'll be somewhat warmer.

As far as boots, I used the SWAT boots, maybe from Ranger Joes. You will want civilian clothing. You wont need it during the FTX's though. As far as going off base, like I said, you'll only have evenings on the weekend. As a MAJ, you may get a single billet. As far as standing out, don't worry. You'll be in company with a few other MAJ, and possibly a LTC or two. Saluting can get a little lax in the short course. Don't freak out. Correct it as you see fit.

As far as what you can have on you during the FTX, sure, drink cool aid or whatever. You'll eat MRE's for lunch and eat a hot breakfast and supper on the bleachers. Tolerate the active duty/ reserve 70B's/67J's that are in the long course. They will look down upon the reserve course as you will fall in the back of their platoons during the FTX's.

Try to have a good time. It'll pass fast. You may be in a hotel for your stay there, not that you'll be in it for 15 of the 28 days. Keep in mind that the course has been actively changing in the last few years. People that have attended more recently are a better source of information.

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So I was wondering... what does the BOLC training consist of? I saw somewhere that there was a first part that is all online. But when you report for the second half, what can you expect? I was interested in the 72A and 72D. I was looking and I couldnt find alot of details on the nuts and bolts of the class. What can you expect when you are seperated into your specalities?

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Thank you kindly for you advice R. I take it then I won't thread upon the Riverwalk or The Alamo. TCs!
Are we allowed Cell Phones during FTX at camp Bullis? Is there a strong signal? Are there AC Outlets for recharging?
Do you take your laptops to FTX?
How many people stay on each tent at FTX? Did they finally install the showers at Camp Bullis?
In the short course, will there be Combatives, Drills, Weapons qualification and road marches?
If we are going to do marches, do you have any idea of how many miles, and the average weight of the rucksacks carried?
Will we carry M16s around, M9s, or nothing? Are we supossed to train in grenade throwing? Sounds strange for AMEDD, but I was told it was part of BOLC.
Is the Battle Buddy system still used?
Do we need to bring a Protractor for the Map Reading exercises, or is it provided?
Should I buy a Printer for my laptop? If so, are there facilities such as a PX within the base where I can buy it, or should I send it via USPS Mail?
Is there a Supermarket/ Drugstore nearby within walking distance, or within the Base?
I understand there's a Military Museum at FSH, what type? Does it feature Civil War military items, or just antique medical equipment?
Since we won't be in the Hotel for those 3 x 5 days periods at FTX, where do we store our items? Are we supposed to take them out of the room, and place them in storage?
Again, thank you very much for your assistance, it is very appreciated.

Signal Strength? AC? I had all of that in Afghanistan and I would not think that would be a problem in a medical FTX. Some of your questions are very in-depth Major and perhaps an excellent sponsor in LTC Ritchie may be the one to engage.

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Hi, I only have a few days left and virtually everyone I have contacted refrains from answering, even those in charge of the course! Not even those who are currently attending will answer these Qs. I'm even wondering if I'm comitting some sort of OPSEC faux pas... Will try to send LTC Ritchie a pm. Thanks!

Hi, I only have a few days left and virtually everyone I have contacted refrains from answering, even those in charge of the course! Not even those who are currently attending will answer these Qs. I'm even wondering if I'm comitting some sort of OPSEC faux pas... Will try to send LTC Ritchie a pm. Thanks!

It's not opsec, it's just that you have extraordinarily detailed questions that only someone who has completed the course in the past few months could answer. This forum caters to new enlisted Soldiers, and doesn't have many AMEDD officers involved who could address issues at this level of granularity. For the sake of future AMEDD officers, perhaps you'd continue to contribute to the forum throughout your career, because (as you've experienced) we could really use more of you.

Are we allowed Cell Phones during FTX at camp Bullis? Is there a strong signal? Are there AC Outlets for recharging?

Yes, everyone had them. You weren't technically allowed to use them until told, but folks used them pretty frequently. To the occasional "put your phones away or we'll not let you bring them" talk. Signal seemed fine. Outlets were around the place. Bring a power strip as a courtesy to others.

In the short course, will there be Combatives, Drills, Weapons qualification and road marches?

Combatives was offered for folks who could show a passing APFT and under the agreement that they'd PT on their own to pass the final APFT. I opted out. There are enough injuries that I wasn't interested (I was still considering emergency medicine at that point, I think). Drill and ceremony is minimal. They give you a crash course in the basics at Ft Sam. You spend a day on the range shooting the M9 and M16, but it does not count as weapons qual. There is running and marching as part of PT and getting around. Nothing anyone without obesity or asthma couldn't handle easily.

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We did get phone privileges taken away once when a bra was found flying on the flag pole. It was funny. It did provide a little humor after sitting out on the Fob for the day when the FT Hood shooting happened.